New analysis of data confirms the need for higher RDA of vitamin D

Recently published data indicated that the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) made a statistical error when arriving at the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin D in 2010. Dr. Cannell covered this paper in a blog.

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The statisticians estimated that 8,895 IU daily of vitamin D is needed to get 97.5% of the population above 20 ng/ml, or the level considered sufficient by the FNB. However, the analysis possessed a major limitation: there was no available data on individuals receiving over 2,400 IU daily.

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In a letter to the statisticians, Dr. Heaney and colleagues confirmed that higher supplementation is needed to reach healthy vitamin D levels in 97.5% of the population by using data from the Grassroots Health Study (GRH).

The vitamin D dosages only accounted for supplements, and excluded vitamin D intake from the sun and food. The researchers estimated that the intake from the sun and food amount to be around 3,000 IU daily.

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They concluded,

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“Since an RDA, by definition, relates to intake from all sources, it is clear that total intake required to achieve 20 ng/ml in 97.5% of the cohort must be close to 7,000 IU per day, note, substantially different from the calculated by Veugelers and Ekwaru.”